Different Kind of Special Blog

When your child’s developmental age does not match their chronological age, it can be challenging to find age-appropriate gifts that they will truly enjoy. That’s especially true for tweens and teens with significant disabilities. My daughter Julia is 18, non-mobile, and non-verbal. Developmentally, infant and toddler toys are most appropriate for her. But, she’s a teenager and her patience for musical, light-up toys is running out.

Over the years, I’ve frequently shed tears of frustration in t...

When my kids were younger, I was that momma - the one that the neighbors talked about. On warm, rainy days, you could find me and my kids outside playing in the rain. Many of our neighbors are senior citizens, and they found our rain dances entertaining. For my kids, it was pure joy. For me, it was a reminder that you don’t always need sunny skies to find happiness.

I love this quote from Vivian Greene:

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.”...

As special needs parents, it can feel like we have zero time for ourselves. We might even laugh if someone suggests ‘self care’ to us because really, when would we have time for that?

But, is it possible that you are missing out on opportunities to take care of yourself in little pockets of time? Self care doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Even if you only have five minutes, you can do something that can have a big impact on your mood.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

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Are you a parent who loves taking your kids on adventures or do you prefer the convenience and comfort of home? Even if you’re an active, extroverted person who loves adventure, outings can be challenging when you’re a family that includes a child with special needs. And, to be completely honest, sometimes those extra challenges make me second guess whether or not the outing is worth the effort and the worry.

Earlier this summer, my daughters and I had the opportunity for a girls night out. One...